Bring an Appetite to Restaurant Row in Sandy Springs

Tender, tasty, Persian kebabs of lamb, kosher Latin American non-dairy cuisine, Omakase-style sushi. In fact, food conceived from countries as different as Greece, Italy, China, Portugal, Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, France, India, Mexico, Malaysia and more.

Hungry and adventurous yet?

Then it’s time to start sampling the more than 120 independent eateries along what has now been dubbed Restaurant Row in Sandy Springs. The 10-mile-long smorgasbord of culinary delights peppers the Roswell Road corridor around which the City of Sandy Springs extends.

That could sustain an appetite for weeks without needing to have return visits. But according to those who have sampled many of the Sandy Springs restaurants, there might be reason to repeat some of those visits.

No Michelin stars — yet

“I don’t believe that we have any restaurants in Sandy Springs with a Michelin designation,” said Jennifer Cruce, executive director of Visit Sandy Springs, “although Food Terminal’s garlic noodles (which has a location in Sandy Springs) got a mention in a Michelin article.”

If one takes a brief look at restaurant reviews, however, it’s obvious that many customers think Michelin mentions might be worth it.

Michelin, of course, is the heralded reviewer of restaurants around the world and publisher of guidebooks that report on those reviews. Nearly 100 years ago, in 1926, the single-star ratings were launched, followed by two- and three-star ratings 10 years later.

Unlike restaurant reviewers who are famous and often recognized and openly welcomed at restaurants they review, Michelin depends on anonymous inspectors who repeatedly eat at the restaurants at different times of day. Those inspectors recommend the coveted stars but also award a Bib Gourmand to restaurants that serve high-quality food at reasonable prices. Green stars are sometimes given to restaurants that prioritize sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.

Criteria for a star

To merit a star, restaurants must meet five criteria. They must use high-quality ingredients, demonstrate mastery of culinary techniques, create a harmonious combination of flavors, and maintain consistency across the entire menu over time. The restaurant must also showcase the chef’s personality through the food.

Value for the money and a “wow factor” are also considered.

Other factors, such as the restaurant’s decor, table settings, ambiance, and service, are not considered when awarding Michelin stars.

Restaurants sometimes receive recommendations, earning them recognition in the guides even if they haven’t received a star or Bib Gourmand.

In the 2024 guide, nine Atlanta-area restaurants received a one-star rating.

High recommendations

But as Cruce noted, Food Terminal at 6550 Aria Boulevard in Sandy Springs received a recommendation for its street food from various regions of the Far East. Its concept reflects Malaysia’s diverse culinary cuisine, drawing influence from India, and the provinces of Guang Zhou, Hokkien, Teochew and Hakka.

The garlic noodles that attracted Michelin’s attention are served in a huge bowl. The thin wheat noodles – all made in-house – are tossed in a garlic sauce, along with spinach and mushrooms.

While other Sandy Springs restaurants might not yet have garnered Michelin attention, many have been recommended for Michelin praise by their customers. Among those are The Select at 6405 Blue Stone Road, Suite 200, Casi Cielo at 6125 Roswell Road and Rumi’s at 6112 Roswell Road.

For a directory and map showing restaurants along Restaurant Row, go to: https://www.restaurantrowsandysprings.com/

Bon appetit!